- Conversion allows up to 61,000 acre-feet for city use.
- South Utah County cities plan for rapid population growth.
- Agreement builds on a century-old federal reclamation project.
Tuesday, September 22, 2025 — Federal, state, and local leaders gathered Thursday at the Bureau of Reclamation’s Provo Area Office to sign the Strawberry Valley Project 1920 Act Conversion Contract
. The agreement marks the beginning of a long-anticipated plan that will allow water from Strawberry Reservoir to be used not just for farms, but also for homes, businesses, and drinking water.
The deal permits the conversion of up to 61,000 acre-feet of irrigation water to municipal and industrial use. That amount of water could support the annual needs of about 183,000 homes.
“This is a proud day for everyone involved,” said Rick Baxter, Manager of Reclamation’s Provo Area Office. “We’ve built a strong foundation of trust with our partners, and today’s signing is the result of that collaboration. This conversion is an effective and efficient way to meet growing water needs without adding new depletions to the system.”
Flexibility for Farmers and Cities.
The conversion is made possible under the 1920 Miscellaneous Purposes Act, which allows farmers to voluntarily convert irrigation water rights to other uses.
“This agreement doesn’t force anyone to stop farming—it simply gives water users the option to adapt,” said Strawberry Water Users Association General Manager Sterling Brown. “Farmers can continue irrigating as long as they choose, and if land is sold for development, the water can follow that new use.”
By relying on existing infrastructure such as the enlarged Strawberry Reservoir and the Diamond Fork System, the plan avoids the cost and disruption of new construction. Officials say the agreement balances urban growth with agricultural traditions while keeping the region’s water future stable.
Preparing for Growth.
Utah County is one of the fastest-growing regions in the state, with its population expected to more than double by 2060. Cities such as Spanish Fork, Payson, and Salem have struggled to keep up with rising water demand.
The agreement is expected to:
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Provide reliable water supplies for homes and businesses.
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Simplify the transfer of water from agriculture to municipal uses.
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Reduce strain on the system by returning more water through municipal use than traditional irrigation typically allows.
“This agreement honors the legacy of the Strawberry Valley Project while preparing us for the future,” Baxter said.
The Strawberry Valley Project: A Century of Impact.
The Strawberry Valley Project holds a unique place in Utah’s history as the state’s first federal reclamation project. Authorized in 1906, it represented a turning point in how the West managed scarce water supplies.
The project included construction of a 20,000-foot tunnel to carry water from Strawberry Valley on the Colorado River side of the Wasatch Mountains to Utah Valley on the Great Basin side. Work crews met in the middle of the tunnel in June 1912, and by 1915, irrigation water was flowing to farms. The reservoir began filling in 1911 and eventually held nearly 300,000 acre-feet of water behind a 71-foot-high rock dam with a concrete core.
Declared complete in 1922, the project transformed southern Utah County. It boosted production of crops such as sugar beets, alfalfa, and vegetables, while also creating jobs, improving roads, and generating incidental electricity. The success of the Strawberry Valley Project helped pave the way for later projects in Utah, including the Central Utah Project and the Glen Canyon Dam.
Image: Strawberry Valley Project – Strawberry Valley Diversion Dam – Highway bridge – Utah, Circa 1905. Public domain from the National Archives.
FAQ
What is the Strawberry Valley Project?
It was Utah’s first federal reclamation project, launched in 1906 to bring irrigation water from Strawberry Valley to farms in Utah County.
Why is the new conversion agreement important?
It allows up to 61,000 acre-feet of irrigation water to be used for municipal and industrial purposes, including drinking water, helping cities meet population growth without building new dams or diversions.
Does this mean farmers lose their water?
No. Farmers may continue irrigating if they choose. The agreement provides flexibility so that if farmland is sold, the water can legally follow the new use.
How many people will benefit?
The converted water could supply the needs of approximately 183,000 households each year.
How does this affect the environment?
Officials note that municipal and industrial water often returns more water to the system than irrigation, which can reduce overall depletion.
How long has the Strawberry Reservoir been in use?
The reservoir began filling in 1911 and has provided irrigation water for more than a century.
